Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in History for Jan. 9: In 1788, Connecticut became the fifth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. In 1793, Frenchman Jean Pierre Blanchard, using a hot-air balloon, flew between Philadelphia and Woodbury, N.J.

Today in Music History for Jan. 11: In 1848, Edward Fisher, founder of the Toronto Conservatory of Music, was born in Jamaica, Vt. He directed the conservatory from its opening in 1887 until his death in 1913.

Today in Music History for Jan. 9: In 1939, producer Alfred Lion recorded boogie-woogie pianists Meade Lux Lewis and Albert Ammons at a session in New York.

Today in Music History for Jan. 5: In 1923, Sam Phillips, owner of the legendary Sun Records in Memphis, was born in Florence, Ala. Many music historians say Sun was where rock 'n' roll began.

Today in Music History for Jan. 8: In 1921, Canadian soprano Beatrice LaPalme, one of the most sought-after artists of her generation, died in Montreal at the age of 42.

Today in Music History for Jan. 6: In 1924, bluegrass legend and banjo pioneer Earl Scruggs was born in Shelby, N.C.

Today in History for Jan. 5: In A.D. 459, St. Simeon Stylites, who, according to legend, lived at the top of an 18-metre pillar in the Syrian desert non-stop for 36 years, died on it.

Today in History for Jan. 8: In 1324, explorer Marco Polo died at age 70. In 1438, the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches met at the Council of Ferrara-Florence in an effort to form an alliance that would save Constantinople from the Turks.

Today in History for Jan. 6: In A.D. 548, the Jerusalem church observed Christmas on this date for the last time as the Western church moved to celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ on Dec. 25. In 1412, St.

Today in Music History for Jan. 7: In 1868, the most ambitious musical composition inspired by Confederation, "Cantate: la Confederation" by Jean-Baptiste Labelle, was performed at the city hall in Montreal.